AN: Thank you to all my readers, especially those who have favourited and followed this story so far!

And a special thank you to shippergirlky, asia joanna 7334, traceybuie, chanur, ckaren09, Babysis64, and a Guest, for reviewing!

Please let me know what you think of this chapter. I haven't read very much of these particular pairings and was a little unsure of how to tackle them, so I'm hoping it comes off reasonably well :-P


Chapter 2: Realization

Edward's POV

So, I had been given the daunting task of broaching the subject with Carlisle and Esme. After much thought, I had come up with a tentative plan of action. It was a few days after what we were referring to as the epic eye opener incident (aka when Jasper and Bella had first felt their spark) before I finally had the chance to talk to them. However, it wasn't under the greatest of circumstances.

Carlisle was needed for another delivery and Rosalie was off hunting with Alice, so Esme and I were asked to assist him. When we arrived at the little hut, the mood was somber. The expectant mother had been slipping in and out of consciousness. While Carlisle was assessing her, Esme and I both realized the same terrible thing. We could only hear the mother's heartbeat. The baby, much to our dismay, was going to be stillborn.

Carlisle explained things gently to the mother's family in their own tongue while Esme held her hand and wiped her forehead, trying to keep her conscious. I prepared everything Carlisle would need for the delivery. When the time came, the mother rallied enough to push her poor lost child into the world, though no cry was ever to be heard. The woman sobbed quietly and talked of following her child into the afterlife. The woman's mother, cried with her and held her and reminded her that she still had a healthy son at home and that if nothing else, she needed to be strong for him.

After we had done all we could for the grieving family, Esme excused herself from the one-room hut, saying she needed a moment. I had packed up Carlisle's things by then and he was speaking to the women about aftercare, so I slipped out to find Esme. As soon as she saw me, she ran to me.

"Oh, Edward! It's so awful. That poor woman! I know from experience what she must be going through. I just had to get out of there, I couldn't.." She gasped, sobbing tearlessly on my shoulder as I held her tightly in my arms.

"Shhh, I know, I know, it's okay, it'll be okay," I whispered, trying to console her with soft words. We stayed like that until Carlisle emerged. When I eventually pulled away, I held her hands in mine for a minute before letting go. She looked a bit surprised by the electricity, though I knew she had felt it before, many times, but perhaps not recently. As we began walking, I fell behind them as they walked together, speaking in hushed tones.

After contemplating my options, I had decided it wasn't the time to say anything. That was when Carlisle fell out of step with Esme and came back to keep pace with me. "Well, it seems we have some talking to do, Son." He smiled, speaking softly.

"About what?" I asked curiously.

"Do you know what Esme just asked me?" He said, suppressing a grin. I shook my head. "She said, 'Does Edward's wonderful electricity have something to do with his mind-reading ability?' It seems you've been keeping quite a secret where our Esme is concerned! That is unless you're just as clueless as she is?" He said lightly.

"Yes, and no. I only learned what it meant a few days ago, courtesy of our favorite clairvoyant pixie. I had previously written it off as something science related myself. But there was an incident a few days ago involving Bella and Jasper and a very electric game of chess, so Alice ended up laying her cards bare for us." I laughed, still making sure to keep my voice down even though Esme had already disappeared from sight ahead of us.

Carlisle was quiet for a moment. "I see. Well, I have known my own situation for quite some time. When we were preparing to confront the Volturi several years ago, some of our allies were making jokes about the two different kinds of voltage Kate had hit Garrett with and when Maggie, who is unmated, didn't get it, her parents explained the mating pull of true mates to her. I, of course, never let on that it was news even to me, but was definitely caught off guard by the fact that I had felt what they were describing, with someone other than Esme.

"But after learning who my mate was supposed to be, and knowing for a fact that she is happy and well cared for, I vowed never to pursue it unless that changed, or until which time as Esme had found hers. Little did I know then that it was you Esme was meant for all along Edward." He grinned.

"Well, I daresay Alice will be happy about how informed you are." I chuckled. "She has been biding her time until Rose is otherwise engaged, pardon the pun, before moving in on Emmett."

Carlisle looked a little overwhelmed taking all of this in. But also relieved as the last pieces of the puzzle fell into place. "So then everyone is accounted for? No one has to be hurt or left out on their own. Well! That is entirely convenient then, isn't it? I daresay it couldn't have worked out better if our little precog had planned it herself." He laughed jovially.

I couldn't help but agree with him. It truly was perfect. And thinking about the new couples, it seemed everyone was entirely well suited to their true mate. Speaking of, apparently, we had company. "Carlisle!? Edward!?" Esme questioned, stepping out from the trees behind us. "I doubled back through the woods because I'd forgotten my handbag in the village. I've been within earshot this entire time..." She trailed off, her soft but shaky words stopping us in our tracks.

We both turned to face her and saw that she was literally trembling and looked unsteady (no easy feat for a vampire). This was probably the worst manner and time for her to find out, seeing as she was still reeling from the loss of the villager's baby. Carlisle and I were both instantly at her side, hugging her between us. We began apologizing over and over for being so careless that she should find out in such a casual way.

"I'm okay, really. It was just a shock to the system. I mean, this will all take some getting used to of course, for everyone, I imagine. But if there is one thing this family has had to be over the years it is adaptable, am I right?" She smiled up at us and for the first time ever, I allowed myself to internally acknowledge just how intoxicatingly beautiful that smile really was.

"That's the spirit Love." Carlisle nodded, rubbing her back gently. "Do you mind if I leave it to Edward to walk you home? I could really use a quick hunt," he asked.

Esme looked a little shy and younger than usual as she replied, "Go ahead then Carlisle. We'll be fine, won't we Edward?"

"Yes, of course, I promise to get her home safely." I smiled. And with a nod, he took off into the woods and left us, in search of something to hunt.


Esme and I walked along in silence for a while before I felt her hand slip timidly into mine. I had been lost in thought. Her gesture gave me the courage to voice my question. "So, in all honesty, are you disappointed?"

She looked confused when her eyes met mine. "What could I possibly have to be disappointed about?"

I took an unnecessary breath before sharing my concerns. "Well, you assumed you'd be getting an eternity with the esteemed Dr. Carlisle Cullen. Surely the alternative pales in comparison?"

"There is no comparison Sweetheart. The decades with Carlisle since my change were essentially the happy ending my human life should have had but didn't. Marrying a man who loved me and treated me kindly, building a family with him, 'growing old together' or at least older. It was everything I wished it could be.

"But just like if it were a human happy ending, it had to do exactly that eventually. It had to end. It's been wonderful, but also very provincial. We made a family and a home for ourselves and lived within a little bubble of our own making, but it has always felt like the house of sticks in the Three Little Pigs. Like the wrong wolf at the wrong time would just blow it all down. Or in this case, the winds of change.

"I won't lie, I'm going to need to come into this gradually. Jumping into it would seem entirely inappropriate. And given the dynamics of the relationships we have held up until now, I'll need time to draw a line in the sand and transition from the way we were to the way we will be. You understand that I hope?" She smiled softly.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "I was hoping you would want to take it slowly. I feel exactly the same way. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd say half of the house is going to be old fashioned about this, while the other half will be jumping right in. But it matches well with the new generation gap. We'll talk more about that and the rest of Alice's plans at the family meeting, but before that can happen, Carlisle needs to talk with Rose and then once that conversation has been had, Alice plans on telling Emmett. She has no intention of kicking the hornet's nest that is Rosalie." I laughed lightly.

"I can imagine." She laughed, shaking her head at the image of Alice and Rosalie in a catfight. I had to laugh too after seeing it through her mind's eye. "Which brings up a very good point as well. In the interest of not upsetting anyone, I would like to have a good long talk with Bella sometime, before anything changes too much if that's alright with you?"

I smiled happily. "Yes of course. I am sure she would appreciate that."

"Good, now that that's all settled, care to race me home?" Esme grinned, and before I could even say yes, she was off like a shot, making it through the door only milliseconds before me, even with the colossal head start I had given her.


Carlisle's POV

When I arrived back from my hunt, Edward and Esme were already home. The only ones not at home were Emmett and Jasper who had taken the boat to another nearby island to hunt, that boasted an abundance of larger game.

Perhaps this would be as good a time as any to speak to Rose. I thought to myself, though partially to Edward as well, and he took it as a cue to make himself scarce, taking Bella with him to go hunting. Alice, seeing my decision, asked Esme if she wanted to go back to the village with her to shop since there was a small market there, and some of the tribeswomen sold clothing. Esme had obviously told her about the villager's baby because Alice said there was nothing like a little retail therapy.

So within half an hour of my arriving home, Rosalie and I were alone in the house. She was out in the garage working on our secondary boat since the island did not have roads for car travel and she loved to tinker. "Would you like some company?" I asked, smiling as I entered the garage.

"As long as you don't mind passing me tools, that'd be great." She grinned.

"Sure, what can I hand you first?" I asked.

"That ratchet?"

I nodded, and using Edward's trick from earlier, I handed it to her in such a way that our hands touched for a few lingering seconds.

She shuddered. "I'll never get used to that."

"The electricity?" I asked, playing dumb just a little.

"Yes," Rosalie nodded. "I always forget how potent it is."

Did she already know? I couldn't help wondering. "And what do you attribute it to?"

She stared at me blankly. "What do you mean? It's a sire bond thing, isn't it?"

Of course! She thinks it's because I turned her. Well, at least that made sense. I smirked a little without meaning to. "No, it isn't."

"It isn't? I naturally assumed it was because of the blood connection since you were the one who changed me. I've never felt it with anyone else, so what else could it be? Unless it's just because you are our coven leader?" She asked, not returning to work on the boat, simply staring at me instead.

I smiled, it was another worthy guess. "No, it's something I only have with you. Though I have just learned a similar current runs between Edward and Esme. Yet another between Alice and Emmett, and another still between Bella and Jasper. Edward always attributed it to a fluke of science, protons and electrons, that sort of thing. Esme took it to stem from Edward's telepathy power. I'm told Emmett was lead to believe it was Alice's sparkling personality. Meanwhile, Bella and Jasper only felt it for the first time recently. Only Alice, of course, ever knew the truth." I stated plainly. If there was one thing Rosalie liked, it was a no holds barred approach.

She paused as the information registered, and something deep within her seemed to click as the reality of the situation sunk in. It felt like an eternity passed by before she said anything.

"Well shit." She said, matter-of-factly and promptly went back to working on the boat. "Socket wrench?"

I laughed and passed it to her, though this time when she took it from me, she was the one who intentionally lingered.


Alice's POV

I had been waiting ever since Carlisle had spoken to Rosie for my opportunity to talk to Emmett. Eventually, he announced that he was going off the island to hunt again.

"Want some company?" I asked nonchalantly.

He grinned. "Sure thing Pixie, as long as you think you can keep up!"

I growled playfully. "You'd needn't snicker at my expense Emmy, I'll do more than keep up. I'll surpass you in kills and you'll be eating your words! Meet me out front in ten!" I giggled, running off to go get ready. Of course, I may or may not have already seen him deciding to go hunt and so I may or may not have already spent three hours getting ready by that point, but hey, I needed to make it at least look like I was haphazardly throwing myself together for an ordinary hunt.

After rushing back downstairs I said a quick goodbye to everyone who was around, all of whom knew by now and were laughing to themselves at my excitement, of course. Then I headed out to meet Emmett. Showtime Alice. I walked right up to him and looped my arm through his. "Hey, good lookin'."

"Backatcha Sis!" He smirked playfully as we walked along. The electricity was palpable between us. I decided not to say anything until after he helped me onto the boat (not that I needed the help, but hey, Em was always a gentleman) and we pulled away from the shore.

"Hey Em, do you remember the first time our hands touched and you asked what the spark was and I told you it was my electric personality?" I asked him casually.

He laughed. "Vividly. I never did believe you though."

"Smart boy. What did you think it really was?" I pressed lightly.

He thought for a moment. "Not sure, guess I figured it had something to do with your powers? Like a power current that helps you read people's future or something. Why?"

"That's pretty funny. That's almost exactly what Esme thought about her spark with Edward." I laughed liltingly.

He looked confused as his now-darker-than-topaz-but-still-adorable puppy dog eyes told me he was trying to process this vague new information. "Um, what?"

I continued on. "Yes, apparently since its inception, this family's favorite state to be in is denial." I nodded, waiting to see if I needed to say more. It was clear I was being entirely too vague. "Of course Rose only thought she felt it with Carlisle due to him siring her, so that's just as amusing. The funniest though was when it finally hit Jazzy and Bella, they both jumped several feet in the air and started freaking out. It was pretty freaking adorable, you should have seen it Em." I laughed, trying to keep things light but in actuality, I was so totally nervous, I didn't think I could bring myself to spell it out for him if need be. So I just stared at him, willing him to catch on.

"Alice, are you saying the electric thingy runs two ways and only between certain people?" He asked. Finally, we are getting somewhere! Halleluia!

I nodded a little too emphatically, probably looking like a bobblehead. "Yes Em, I am."

"So, I shock you too then?" He asked.

"You certainly do," I said, gaining back a little of my confidence and even feeling slightly coy.

But still, he clearly wasn't focused on the deeper aspect of it yet. "I'm sorry. Why didn't you ever say anything?"

"Emmett, you seem to be missing a part of the bigger picture here…" I trailed off, willing him to figure this out.

"No Ally, I get it, really I do. But the shocks I always feel are strong, bordering on painful, and the thought of hurting you upsets me greatly." He said, coming to sit beside me (though not close enough to touch) since he had until now been standing up in the boat.

Now I was the one to look confused. So, he does understand or he doesn't? I shook my head to clear it and decided to take his word that he understood. "Emmett, it's only painful because we haven't done anything about it. Up to now, it's been intensified by the tension of our inaction." I said, mustering up enough courage to take his hand in mine. "Watch, It will dissipate some if we sit like this for a while."

He laughed and nudged closer. "Okay, you don't have to twist my arm."

We sat in silence for a while, the island Emmett was steering us towards finally coming into sight.

"So, I guess this means I'll have to stop calling you Lil' Sister huh?" He grinned bashfully.

I pretended to think for a moment. "You still could, it'd just be a little kinkier." Em laughed uproariously then.

"Oh Ally, have I ever told you how adorable you are?" He said with a little sigh.

"Maybe, but I wouldn't mind hearing it again," I said as he helped me out of the boat when we docked.

"How about how beautiful you are? Have I ever told you that?" He asked, standing face to face with only millimeters of space left between us.

I smiled happily. "Not with that look in your eyes you haven't. Though I can't really tell how much of that hunger is for me and how much is for the panthers."

"Plenty for both Babe, but we should hunt." He said, snapping himself out of it. "I seem to recall something of a challenge was issued?" He grinned, getting ready to leap into action.

"Yes, I remember. And when we get back home, it's time for a family meeting." I said, getting back on task. "The last one to drain three leopards has to wear a red wig for the next three days!" I said running off into the jungle.


AN: So, how are we feeling so far?

Next chapter, the family discusses plans, followed by a little girl talk ;-)

As always, I'd love to hear your feedback!